Vol. 520 No. 2
13 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage Gaeltacht and the Islands if she has received the report of the facilitator (details supplied) she appointed in regard to RTE and its preparations for digital broadcasting; and if it is intended to publish the report. [15304/00]
I have not yet received the report of the facilitator. The facilitator was engaged by me to promote a common understanding among RTE, the RTE trade union group (TUG), and RTE network employees likely to transfer to the new DTT entity, of the public policy objective of Government in relation to the introduction of DTT in Ireland, the factors that must be taken into account in the achievement of this objective and to facilitate the presentation of information to me on the positions of these parties. He has had ongoing contact with all the par ties concerned in recent weeks and I expect to receive his report within a matter of days.
As I have already indicated to the House, difficulties have arisen in the process of establishing a DTT entity as originally envisaged. I have been forced to consider alternative approaches with a view to moving the project forward in a manner most likely to achieve the successful establishment of the DTT platform. The facilitator's report to me will be important in informing the development of proposals to move the project forward.
In principle, I would favour publication of the report following Government consideration of the issues raised by it. However, until such time as I receive the Report and have had an opportunity to assess whether it contains commercially sensitive information or any other information whose publication might jeopardise the successful introduction of DTT, it would not be appropriate for me to give a specific commitment in this regard.
On 12 April the Minister informed us that the task of the facilitator was to be completed within three weeks. Major difficulties are obviously being encountered and the passage of the Broadcasting Bill, 1999, is being delayed. It appears the cable and MMDS operators are increasing their market share all the time. Are we heading towards a situation where commercial operators will not find it worth their while to take up options on the various channels and multiplexes that will be available? What difficulties is the facilitator encountering? Is the current situation a stand-off?
The Deputy is correct in saying that I had hoped to have a report from the facilitator within three weeks. I certainly hope to have the report within days. It would be wrong for any of us to conclude that the delay is due to some disagreement among the parties involved in that facilitation process. Mr. Phil Flynn is extremely busy with a number of other issues, but I am also aware that he has met all the groups involved and will be in a position to present his report as soon as possible. I hope that will be in a few days.
I agree with Deputy O'Shea when he says we should avail at the earliest possible moment of this window of opportunity presented by digital broadcasting. That is my wish and, in fairness, I know it is also the position of RTE. I look forward to receiving the report from the facilitator. I have promised that once I received the report and assimilated its contents I would have a meeting with the RTE authority. I certainly do not intend to take any great length of time in doing this. I have every intention of pushing this matter forward as quickly as possible.
As there is no possibility of the Broadcasting Bill being passed by the Oireachtas before the summer recess, we are talking about a resumption in October, at best. The clock is ticking away and every day the opportunity presented by digital terrestrial television is being weakened or lost.
The reason I asked a facilitator to participate was to promote a common understanding among RTE, the RTE trade union group and RTE's network employees, that RTE had a genuine difficulty with regard to the implementation of DTT. I felt it was important to have these discussions. They have told me that they do not wish to see any delay. I said to them and to everybody else that it is most important that we grab this opportunity and have no further delays. I am looking forward, in the next few days, to having the report from Mr. Phil Flynn in my possession.
The Minister did not address my question. Will she agree there is now no possibility that the Broadcasting Bill, 1999, will have completed its passage through the Oireachtas before the summer recess and that effectively we are talking about a resumption in the autumn, in the month of October?
As has been said, legislation on all issues takes time. It is important that we get the legislation correct and proper and it would not serve any purpose to run roughshod over groups and organisations which are an important element in all this discussion. We have to examine this issue comprehensively without any delay and have an integrated approach. I am sure that will be taken.
